So, my birthday is coming up and I think I'm gonna treat myself to a fancy new gadget. My current laptop kinda sucks but is still functional.

I'm leaning towards just getting a tablet rather than an actual laptop, just for expense purposes and because I don't think I need anything more.

Was thinking I might just go with an iPad, but am open to suggestions? What do you all think?

What will you be using it for?

Surfing the net, email, watching TV shows and Netflix (lol). Pretty simple fun, casual Internet use kind of stuff. My current laptop will suffice for writing purposes.

Happy Early Birthday. I just picked up a Apple Ipad Mini so I can sit on the couch and surf, rather than sit at the computer desk. On the Ipad, you have to decide if you want the big one or the mini. I got the mini with like a 7 inch screen so I can also take outside easier, as I use it on every lunch break. Also there are some phone with a 5 + inch screen where you can sit have phone access, including the Note 2 or 3 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 or S4. Plus there is the Samsung Tablet, which is the other choice to the Apple Ipad, as it works and uses other products than Apple. Or you can go gadgets....

Samsung unveils Galaxy Note III, Note tablet, Galaxy Gear smartwatch

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-576 ... martwatch/

Samsung announced Wednesday at the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) trade show in Berlin three additions to its product line: a brand new Galaxy Gear smartwatch, an update to its phone-tablet hybrid, the Galaxy Note III and Note 10.1 tablet.

The Note III, which has been dubbed a "phablet," looks like a slim version of its predecessor. It has a 5.7-inch screen, with full HD display, and comes in six colors, including pink, orange, blue, white, green and black. It can record video in 4K quality or 1080p at 60 frames per second.

If you think you'll need the laptop for work, then get one, if not, go for the iPad

Go with a Chromebook then. I'm been meaning to get one myself lately. The highest rated consumer one (Samsung version) is just $250 and they go for as cheap as $200.

I suggest a black one.

That's racist but seriously, is Libs black?

Is that the basic Google laptop? Which is good unless she wants a tablet for convince, for times out of the house. Which is what I am doing now, surfing the net while out, eating lunch.

How sad.

I suggest a white one.

#whitepower

Pink?

Get one like this and get beaten up.

Algren, is that you?

Well, I don't know, what do you think....does that guy look 27 years old?

mmm, probably, looks like the tipycal fat american nerd you would hate

Just got a MacBook Air.

I love it.

I also have an iPad. I use it more than my MacBook, but the MacBook can handle more. It's better for managing my music library, watching flash videos, doing any writing, etc. Again, love the iPad, but it isn't a computer replacement.

The Surface Pro can very well serve as a computer replacement (one of my firm's partners uses it as his primary computer, actually). I don't know what the drawbacks to the Surface are.

Well I hate him even more now because of his computer, because he's a model maker (the super glue gives it away) and because of his idiotic expression.

By the way, I hate your spelling of the word 'typical'.

It's trending

#typicaltipycaltypicaltipicaltypicaltypicaltipicaltipicaltypicaltipical

+1. I have MacBook Air and iPad Mini.

For your purposes, Libs, I think an iPad would be fine. But I personally don't consider tablets a laptop replacement either. I can do w/o the tablet, but not w/o a laptop.

Btw, if you are going for an iPad and you can wait, a new iPad should be coming out in late October or early November. So I'd wait.

FYI, she said her other computer can handle the basic computer functions, so she isn't looking for a computer replacement. On the iPad, would you suggest the regular iPad or the mini. I have the mini, so I can carry it out at all times. Very handy IMO. And on waiting and buying the new product, it will be more expensive, so for her needs, maybe it is better to buy the existing iPad, which is still good, and would be cheaper, Than the new model.

iPad vs. iPad mini is a matter of preference - I like the size of the mini so that's why I switched. Easier to hold and read.

But that's definitely not true about the price. iPad has always started at $499 (for 16gb, wifi only) and that won't change with the new one. iPad mini is $329 right now, and when the new one comes out, it won't go up. If anything, I could see it dropping to $299. So I think it's better to wait to get the newest version with faster processor, better cameras (if you care), better display (for the mini) and a better design (for the iPad).

But will the price of the present model go down when the new ones are released. Making them a bargain buy. I am on the latest iPad mini which I think they said is really like an iPad 2, and it runs super still.

I'm ready for a new iPad this year (still using original first gen), and it's going to be a difficult decision between the two new models coming out this Fall...



I think handling both of them side by side in a store is going to be essential.